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Rei called for a meeting, and Rei would get it. 

The Detention Club room was seldom used this early in the morning, and so it should have been no surprise that Rei, Roche, and Kiyo were the only ones present. The setup was similar to a meeting between a shogun and their two most trusted daimyo. Kneeling mats were set out, as was a table that might have had a map for planning future conquests. But there was no map, only some school supplies that Suki had yet to cobble into anything, and the shogun was keeping the back wall up. Her arms were folded and her heel was planted against the back of the wall. 

[color=seagreen]“This will not take long.”[/color] That was Rei speak for “I don’t feel like discussing this in depth,” which meant there might be a lot of unanswered questions. [color=seagreen]“Have the two of you put much thought into how you’re going to deal with the GEMs? With Hizuki on our side, a diplomatic approach to the problem might be possible.”[/color] 

[color=orange]”It’s not just a possibility. We’re compelled to attempt just by having Hizuki.”[/color] Roche was relaxed in her element, brows not as she gave Rei her full, laser-like focus. She’d given it thought amidst the plethora of other problems before them and wasn’t terribly pleased with her conclusion. 

[color=orange]”We’ve welcomed Hizuki among us, but being the aggressors may alienate her when we need unity the most. Any future engagement with the GEMS needs us to be the offended party. We can hope that having Hizuki will make them more open to a ceasefire and negotiate some boundaries. We may have more options but unless Hizuki cis up for striking first, we’ll have to keep our guard up and brace to take the first punch.”[/color]

She shook her head ruefully, a soft grin forming a upon her face. 

[color=orange]”Fortunately we’re good at that. It’ll just be a matter of keeping us in groups till the GEMS strike so they can’t get an overwhelming opener and not even give us a chance to talk.”[/color]

[color=firebrick][b]"I've been hoping for something along those lines,"[/b][/color] Kiyo admitted. [color=firebrick][b]"Normally when a new light girl shows up in town, I'd just try turning them into one of us, but since she came to me on her own wanting to be useful and all... I intended to test her sincerity last night, but I didn't even need to fetch her."[/b][/color] She pursed her lips. [color=firebrick][b]"Thing is, I don't want to make concessions with the GEMs. I want to make demands. They've made theirs—we stay off their turf. Now they need to stay off ours. Sure, have Hizuki go ahead and tell them that our leader gave us a spanking and a shorter leash or whatever, but if they don't get the fuck off our lawn, they're going to get bitten."[/b][/color]

She folded her arms. [color=firebrick][b]"I just don't know what to do about Shuuko. I knew she didn't like light girls, but I didn't expect her to be so against the idea of [i]using[/i] one that she'd try to kill her. I intended to partner with the newbie for a while—I said I'd take responsibility for her, because I'm not sure the others would be on board otherwise—but now I'm worried Shuuko might do something rash. I suggested pairing her with Roche, but it seems like she's against pairing me with Hizuki no matter what."[/b][/color]

Rei lifted her head and smiled. [color=seagreen]“Interesting you should bring that up. It’s what I wanted to discuss next.”[/color] She waved her hand at Kiyo. [color=seagreen]“It’s as you said, it does not seem that having the three of you together would be a good idea. And even if it were, I feel increasing Medusa’s Mirror’s member count would be unfair to the others.”[/color] Rei looped her thumbs in her pockets. [color=seagreen]“The Royal Navy is away, which leaves nine of us. That’s enough for three teams of three, and would help keep us together. For the time being, Medusa’s Mirror will separate and join in with the other teams. Shatterscape feels like a good fit for Unstoppable Doom, as you pointed out. You will join up with Endless Ecstasy, as Oros the Joyful seems to respect you enough to not try her usual antics. That, and I feel Willow will get along much better with Hizuki then you. Don’t both of you agree?”[/color] 

The Rule Keeper cocked her head consideringly, but it was entirely for show as her grin only widened. A consolidating of teams wasn’t what she expected but it was fitting for their circumstances and gave her a perfect opportunity to socialize Nyxia and Shuuko.

[color=orange]”Sounds good to me. I think we’ll gel well by day and night.”[/color] Roche nodded happily, feeling an airy flutter in her chest that had nothing to do with the ease they could crush Miseria as a group. Though thinking of Shuuko was enough to sober her slightly and she shook off the flight of fancy. 

[color=orange]”I’ll keep an eye on Shuuko and make sure she doesn’t fly off the handle with Light Girls. I don’t know what her beef is, but I can keep it from getting in the Club’s way.”[/color]

Kiyo scratched at the side of her head. [color=firebrick][b]"I'd rather work with Oros. Willow can't keep her mouth shut,"[/b][/color] she remarked somewhat hypocritically. [color=firebrick][b]"If Medusa's Mirror is the only team shaken up, Shuuko could see it as a punishment. Is that your intent?"[/b][/color] The look in her eyes questioned more than it accused. [color=firebrick][b]"I'm concerned about Acid, too. She seemed to be struggling last night. Putting me and her on the same team could leave it wanting for firepower."[/b][/color]

[color=seagreen]“This is not permanent. Medusa’s Mirror is not getting disbanded.”[/color] Rei reassured Kiyo. [color=seagreen]“But I think we are in agreement that it would be less damaging to split the two of you up than any other team. It is not as if we are placing you with the light girl, so it shouldn’t be seen as a punishment for her.”[/color] She raised a hand to her chin. [color=seagreen]“Though it did appear to me last night that the two of you had the most difficulty working together. Acid Drop was a bit off point but she still had synergy with Oros.”[/color] She shrugged her shoulders. [color=seagreen]“It’s a hassle but it’s not that drastic. Roche suggested we stick together in larger teams. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll try something else.”[/color] Rei looked at a clock hanging above a bookshelf. [color=seagreen]“Unless you want to say something else, we should probably head to class.”[/color]

[color=orange]”All good here. It’ll be best if my team isn’t the one who encounters the GEMS for diplomacy’s sake but we won’t have an issue fighting them off either. I’m planning to meet up with Shuuko after school and hash things out so we’re on the same page.”[/color]

There were mixed feelings on that, as while she enjoyed having company over, discussing the heavy topic of attempted murder wasnt going to be the light, fluffy mood she wanted. 

[color=orange]”I can’t say what’s going on there but I’ll keep a handle on it. You got anything, Kiyo??”[/color]

Kiyo shrugged. The boss's mind was made up, and while her team was more likely to corrupt a light girl than beat one in a fight, that suited her just fine. [color=firebrick][b]"Nah. Just don't treat Shuuko like she's on probation. She needs some elbow room to function properly,"[/b][/color] she quipped with a glance at Roche. [color=firebrick][b]"And I work hard to convince the others that my eyes do more than silently judge them."[/b][/color]

She, too, glanced at the clock. [color=firebrick][b]"Someone—I think it's a dark girl—keeps destroying them. For the sake of time, I'm looking into it. I'll revisit that topic when I know more, but Ashbringer is probably watching us,"[/b][/color] she said for Roche's sake, figuring that Rei already knew somehow.

[color=seagreen]“There’s that name again.”[/color] Rei shrugged. [color=seagreen]“It does sound like everything is coming under control now. We’ll meet again in a week and see if there’s any improvement with Shuuko and the GEMs. If there’s a dark magical girl lingering about, I’m sure you’ll encounter her sooner rather than later.”[/color]